Page 85 - Enhancing CAD Drawings with Photoshop

4386.book Page 68 Monday, November 15, 2004 3:27 PM

68 CHAPTER 2 WORKING WITH COLOR

Calibration Systems
Calibration systems feature a scientific measuring instrument, called a spectrophotometer, that
measures the light intensity emitted from a monitor, plus software that interfaces with Photoshop.
Hardware-based calibration solutions are more accurate than software-only methods.
WARNING Do not calibrate twice with different systems, as errors will result. Do not use the
Adobe Gamma or Monitor Calibrator utilities if you are using calibration hardware, for example.
If you decide to invest in a hardware-based calibration system, why not calibrate your monitor
every day? Monitors change over time, and daily or weekly profiles ensure that what you see on the
screen is accurate. Make calibration part of your morning coffee ritual, or write it on your calendar.
Every type of media that you print on reflects color uniquely. In addition to profiling the direct
light of monitors, the best calibration hardware can measure color on different kinds of media under
reflected light. You can create a profile for each type of paper that you print on for the very best in
color output.
GretagMacbeth offers profiling and calibration products of the highest quality. Their Eye-One
Photo system costs about $1500 U.S.; it offers digital color management for CRT and LCD displays,
plus RGB printers. You can upgrade the system with add-ons that allow you to calibrate and profile
digital cameras, scanners, CMYK presses, and digital projectors as your needs grow.

Photo courtesy of GregtagMacBeth, LLC
TIP See www.gretagmacbeth.com and www.colorvision.com for professional color calibration
systems.
Display Devices
Monitor quality varies, and you usually get what you pay for. If you can afford it, invest in large 21˝
displays and graphics cards that support high resolution and color depth. Monitors usually last
through at least two or three computer replacement cycles, so their value can be amortized over a
longer period. (A seven-year service life is safe to assume for top-level manufacturers.) Flat-panel
liquid crystal displays (LCD) render sharpness more clearly, while cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors
render blurriness more effectively; each type has its strengths and weaknesses, so having both is the
best option.